Vacuum breaker



March 1952 J. c. WOODFORD 3,023,767

VACUUM BREAKER Filed Dec. 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 o f ,8 5 1O 5 I'I? II H fi 18 l 9 3 10 s 5 3 r 5% i MHHI W 4 r 4 FIGZ IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY OSEPH C. WOODFORD March 6, 1962 .'c. WOODFORD 3,023,767

VACUUM BREAKER Filed Dec. 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5

INVENTOR. SEPH C. WOODFORD A TTORNEY United States Patent 3,023,767VACUUM BREAKER Joseph C. Woodford, 205 N. Buchanan St., Spring Lake,Mich. Filed Dec. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 780,807 4 Claims. (Cl. 137-218) Myinvention relates to an improvement in valve means for breaking vacuum,which may be created in fluid lines, such as water pipes, under certainabnormal conditions, to prevent back flow in the fluid line. My improvedvacuum breaker and back flow preventing means is particularly adaptablefor use on ordinary water service threaded outlets located both insideand outside of homes, and in hotels, hospitals, office buildings,laboratories, etc.

One object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willprevent any back flow of contaminated water into the water supplysystems of homes, hotels, hospitals, etc., under all normal conditionsof use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willallow a sufiicient volume of water to flow therethrough without causingexcessive flow resistance or back-pressure.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willnot leak or spray through the vacuum relief ports of the device underany conditions of supply pressure, or the rate of flow.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willnot jet or splash excessively through its outlet when the outlet end ofthe vacuum breaker is not connected to some means such as an attachedhose, or pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willregister no vacuum within its outlet chamber under any degree of vacuumin the inlet chamber or in the fluid supply pipe connected with suchinlet chamber.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willfunction under normal conditions of service, which includes it beingconnected to a water source of supply wherein dirt, grit, sand, pipescale, etc., may be carried occasionally by the water stream.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willfunction through any range of use, including very short and intermittentperiods of fluid flow therethrough, and to the other extreme of verylong periods of fluid flow, varying from a very slow rate to the maximumrate of flow.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker which willadapt itself to a wide range of performance conditions and which willfunction properly for long periods of time without the requirement offrequent servicing attention.

Another feature of my invention is to provide a vacuum breaker of aconstruction which is of a relatively small cross-section and length, soas to permit the installation of the vacuum breaker in the limited spaceavailable on standard sill-cocks, etc.; and which length will result inonly a short extension of the existing faucet nozzle, to avoid extendingbelow the rims of sinks.

Many devices of the nature of my improved vacuum breaker, for use on thethreaded spout end of an ordinary water outlet to prevent back flow andcontamination, have been made and sold previously. However, none ofthese prior art devices has adequately satisfied all of the necessaryrequirements, and none has proven satisfactory in actual service inaccordance with the uniform opinions of the authorities of the variousstates. Accordingly, a great need and demand has existed for a long timefor an elfective means of protection against the dangerous contaminationof water supply systems which include ordinary water outlets such asfaucets, sillcocks, etc.

My improved vacuum breaker has been subjected to exhaustive laboratorytests and actual service tests by various state authorities. Suchexhaustive laboratory tests have established definitely that my devicemeets all of the necessary requirements, including the very stringentrequirements of the state of Michigan.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andarrangement hereinafter more definitely specified with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In said drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevation view of my improved vacuum breaker installedon the screw-threaded spout of a com mom and well-known form of faucet.

FIG. 2 is an axial vertical sectional view of the vacuum breaker shownin FIG. 1, but on a larger scale.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an axial vertical sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, showing amodified form of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the diaphragm valve element of the structureshown in FIG. 5. 1

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the disc spring element for the diaphragm, asshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the resilient sealing ring element of thediaphragm structure shown in FIG. 5.

Rah Hing to FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings; my vacuum breakerand back flow preventor, indicated generally at 1, is shown mounted onthe ordinary screw threaded end of a faucet 2 of a common and well-knownconstruction.

The vacuum breaker, indicated at 1 in FIG. I, is formed of an inletmember 3 and an outlet cap member 5. The inlet member 3 is provided withthe axial internal screw thread 6 adapted for engagement with the screwthreaded end of an ordinary faucet, or other similar device. The outletcap 5 is provided with an external screw thread 7 adapted to be engagedby the internally threaded coupling member 8 of an ordinary hose, or thelike.

The inlet member 3 is provided at its lower portion with an externalscrew thread 9 adapted to engage the internal screw thread 10 of theoutlet cap 5.

The inlet member 3 is provided with a substantially flat diaphragm valvemember 12 made of any suitable flexible and resilient material. Thecircular valve member 12 is clamped near its outer periphery between arelatively sharp annular projection 13, formed at the bottom end of theinlet member 3, and an annular seat surface 15 formed in the outlet capmember 5.

The inlet member 3 and the outlet cap 5 are tightly screwed together soas to form a water-tight joint around the outer edge of the diaphragmmember 12.

The inlet member 3 is provided with a substantially flat and smoothvalve seat surface 17 which has a series of openings 18 therethrough topermit the flow of water to pass through the inlet member 3. The bottomend of the inlet member 3 is provided with an annular groove 20 to allowa space in which any dirt or foreign matter in the water may accumulatewithout interference with the operation of the diaphragm member 12, asherein after described.

The outlet cap member 5 is provided with a circumferential series of airinlets, or vacuum breaking ports, 21 between the diaphragm 12 and theannular seating sur face 15 and the relatively sharp annular seatingedge 23 extending toward the diaphragm member 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 3, the diaphragm member 12 is provided withcross slits 25 therethrough which are of less length than the diameterof the annular seating edge 23. The space between the valve seat surface17 and the annular seating edge 23 is suflicient to allow limitedmovement of the central portion of the diaphragm 12. Accordingly, thediaphragm 12 can alternately seal against the valve seat surface 17 orthe annular seating edge 23, under vacuum condition or flow condition,respectively.

When water flow is permitted by the opening of the valve of the faucet2, by rotational movement of the valve operating handle 26, thediaphragm 12 first seals effectively against the sharp annular seatingedge 23, thereby preventing any escape through the circumferentialseries of ports 21. The pressure of the water, passing through theopenings 18 in the valve seat surface 17 of the inlet member 3, againstthe slitted portions 25 of the diaphragm 12 deflect the slitted portions25 of the diaphragm 12 in a downward opening direction toward the outlet27 of the cap member 7 to permit water to flow through the opened upslitted area of the diaphragm 12.

It is to be noted that the slitted portions 25 are flexed, but notexpanded, and, therefore, readily return to their substantially flat, orplane, closed positions after the flow of water has been shut offthrough the faucet 2.

When the inlet portion of the inlet member 3 is subjected to vacuum, thecentral portion of the diaphragm 12-moves slightly upwardly, asindicated in dotted lines in FIG. 2, to sealingly seat against theunderside of the valve surface 17, to thereby close the series of ports18 and, of course, the diaphragm 12 moves away from sealing engagementwith the annular seating edge 23 of the cap member 5.

With the diaphragm 12 moved away from sealing engagement with theseating ring edge 23, communication between the cylindrical outletchamber 30' of the cap member 5 and the circumferential series of ports21 is effected. Thus, return of any contaminated liquid which mightotherwise pass upwardly through the outlet 27 to the inlet member 3 isprevented by two valve scaling functions: first, by the sealing closureof the slits 25 of the diaphragm 12 and, second, by the closure of theseries of openings 18 in the valve seat surface 17 by the movement ofthe upper surface of the diaphragm valve member 12 into sealingengagement with said series of openings 18. Accordingly, the occurrenceof any degree of vacuum is prevented in the outlet chamber 30 becausesaid chamber 30 is open to atmosphere through the ports 21.

My improved vacuum breaker, as above described thus far, would providefully adequate protection against back flow and contamination of watersupply lines under conditions of light and intermittent use of the watersupply lines, providing that some spraying or jetting from the outlet 27of the cap member 5 would not be objectionable. However, I deem itpreferable to provide my improved vacuum breaker with additional meanswhich will assure that the vacuum breaker will function properly evenunder most severe conditions of maximum flow of water through the outletfor long periods of time.

Referring to FIG. 2, a spider-shaped element 31 is provided at its uppersurface with :a reduced diameter portion 32. The element 31 iscontinually stressed upwardly, asin FIG. 2, by means of a coil spring34, one end of which is engaged in the recess 35 formed in the peripheryof the spider arms of the element 31, and the other end of the spring 34is positioned in an offset 36 formed at the bottom of the cap member 7.The element 31 and spring 34 are of such diameter as to be freelymovable axially within the chamber 30.

Under conditions of flow of water through the faucet 2, the element 31is pushed downwardly, as in FIG. 2, by the flexing of the slittedportions of the diaphragm 12. The forces of the spring 34 are such thatthey may be readily overcome by slitted portions of the diaphragm 12when opened by the water pressure. With the element 31 moved downwardlyby the flexed slitted segments of the diaphragm 12 under water pressureto cause an opening through the diaphragm 12, the water pressure itselfmoves the element 31 further downwardly, as in FIG. 2, to a positionwherein the spring 34 and element 31 are moved to their lowest possibleposition within the chamber 30. The element 31 being of a spiderconstruction, as indicated in FIG. 4, with a reduced diameter centralportion 32, water may fiow freely through the spaces between the legs ofthe spider to the outlet 27 of the cap member 7.

When the flow of water is shut off by closure of the valve in the faucet2, the slitted portions of the resilient diaphragm member 12 tend toreturn to their substantially plane position, and the spring pressedmember 31 follows the diaphragm 12 and assists in repositioning theslitted portions of the diaphragm 12 into valve closed position. It isto be noted that during long periods of non-use of water through thevacuum breaker 1, the element 31 with its spring 34 acts as a supportingmember for the diaphragm 12 and prevents any tendency of the segments,produced by the slits 25, to sag or fatigue out of their normal planepositions.

Under conditions of vacuum within the inlet member 3, when the ports 18are c'losed'by the diaphragm 12 and with the diaphragm slits in closedpositions, the element 31 provides a third valve seal against theslitted outer surface of the diaphragm 12.

It is to be noted that it is highly improbable that particles of foreignmatter entrained in the water would render all three sealing means, asdescribed above, inoperative and non-functioning. Moreover, due to theassistance of the element 31, the slitted portions of the diaphragm 12are retained in proper position, even under the most severe conditionsof use. It is noted that severe conditions of use have caused distortionof resilient elements in, and the failure'of, previous constructions ofvacuum breakers.

Referring to the modified form of my invention shown in FIGS. 5 to 8,inclusive; the vacuum breaker shown in FIG. 5 is formed of an inletmember 53 and an outlet cap member 55, provided with respective screwthreads in the same manner as heretofore described with reference to theform of my invention shown in FIG. 2. The inlet member 53 is providedwith a flexible and resilient flat valve diaphragm member 62 havingslits 75 in the same manner as heretofore described with reference tothe diaphragm 12. A flat spring of substantially the same diameter asthe valve diaphragm 62 is positioned in contact with the under surfaceof the diaphragm 62. The flat spring member 100 is provided with aseries of openings 101 therethrough to form a multiplicity of fingertype spring members 103 which may be readily deflected by any deflectionof the segments formed by the slits 75 of the diaphragm member 62.

A lower sealing ring 105, of substantially the same diameter as that ofthe diaphragm member 62 and the fiat spring member 100, is positioned incontact with the spring member 100. The sealing ring member 105 has alarge axial center opening 106 therethrough.

The diaphragm member 62, spring member 100 and sealing ring member 105are shown as separate elements in the drawing for purposes of clarity.However, it probably would be preferable to vulcanize together thediaphragm member 62, spring 100, and sealing ring 105 as a unit.

The circular valve member 62 is clamped near its outer periphery betweena relatively sharp annular projection 63 formed at the bottom of theinlet member 53 and an annular seal surface 65 formed in the outlet capmember 55, in the same manner as heretofore described with reference tothe structure shown in FIG. 2. The inlet member 53 and outlet cap 55 aretightly screwed together so as to form a water-tight joint around theouter edge of the composite diaphragm member 62, flat spring 100, andsealing ring member 105.

It is to be noted that in the modified form of my invention shown inFIG. 5, the element 31, with its spring 34 in the form shown in FIG. 2are omitted, as the functions of the element 31 with its spring 34 areperformed by the finger type thin spring member 100. Although only fourfingers are shown in FIG. 7, a greater number may be used. The resilientsealing ring member 105 is provided merely to enable the securing ofsealing contact on the relatively sharp annular seating ring edge 73.

If desired, the modified form of my invention, shown in FIG. 5, may beprovided with a water flow diffuser element 110 provided with amultiplicity of openings 112 therethrough. The diffuser element 110 islocated within at the lower portion of the outlet chamber 80 and spacedremotely away from the diaphragm member 62 and spring 100 so as not topresent any interference of the movement of the slitted portions of thediaphragm at any position of deflection. The flow diffuser element 110is sufiiciently above the outlet 77 of the cap member 55 to allow thediffused water to consolidate into a slow velocity stream of waterbefore emerging from the outlet end 77 of the cap element 55.

It is noted that if the element 31 with its spring 34- be not used inthe form of my invention shown in FIG. 2, the flow difluser elementsimilar to the flow diffuser element 110 could be correspondinglylocated in the lower portion of the chamber 30 of the construction shownin FIG. 2.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of constructionand arrangement as hereinafter set forth, as it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the essentialfeatures of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vacuum breaker and back flow prevention means comprising an inletbody member; a hollow chamber formed in said body member; a transversesubstantially plane web-like partition formed in said hollow chamber,said web-like partition having a valve surface at its underside, andhaving a plurality of flow ports therethrough; an outlet body memberprovided with an outlet opening; a hollow chamber formed in said outletmember; an annular seating edge formed at the top portion of said hollowchamber of said outlet member, said annular seating edge projectingtoward the valve surface of said transverse web-like partition of saidinlet body member; a multiplicity of vent ports surrounding said annularseating edge, said vent ports affording communication between saidhollow chamber of said outlet member and atmosphere; a flexibleresilient substantially plane diaphragm member clamped at its peripherybetween said inlet body member and said outlet body member, the centralportion of said diaphragm member having limited freedom of motionbetween the valve surface of said transverse web-like portion of saidinlet body member and the annular seating edge of said outlet bodymember; port means through said diaphragm member at its central portionto permit liquid to flow through said diaphragm member under inletpressure; and an axially movable spring pressed combination diaphragmport closing and diaphragm support member positioned in said hollowchamber formed in said outlet member, said support member comprising adisc having a substantially plane upper surface supporting the majorportion of the underside of the cross slitted part of said diaphragmmember when said cross slits are in closed position, said substantiallyplane upper surface being of a dimension which prevents the tips of saidcross slits from catching on the peripheral edge of said support memberwhen said cross slits are in a fully open position.

2. A vacuum breaker and back flow prevention means comprising an inletbody member; a hollow chamber formed in said body member; a transversesubstantially plane web-like partition formed in said hollow chamber,said web-like partition having a valve surface at its underside, andhaving a plurality of flow ports therethrough; an outlet body memberprovided with an outlet opening; a hollow chamber formed in said outletmember; an annular seating edge formed at the top portion of said hollowchamber of said outlet member, said annular seating edge projectingtoward the valve surface of said transverse web-like partition of saidinlet body member; a multiplicity of vent ports surrounding said annularseating edge, said vent ports affording communication between saidhollow chamber of said outlet member and atmosphere; a flexibleresilient substantially plane diaphragm member clamped at its peripherybetween said inlet body member and said outlet body member, the centralportion of said diaphragm member having limited freedom of motionbetween the valve surface of said transverse weblike portion of saidinlet body member and the annular seating edge of said outlet bodymember; cross slits through said diaphragm member at its central portionto enable the segments formed by the slits to be moved to open positionto form a flow port when subjected to the pressure of fluid flowingthrough said inlet body member; and an axially movable spring pressedcombination diaphragm flow port closing and diaphragm support memberpositioned in said hollow chamber formed in said outlet member, saidsupport member comprising a disc having a substantially plane uppersurface supporting the major portion of the underside of the crossslitted part of said diaphragm member when said cross slits are inclosed position, said substantially plane upper surface being of adimension which prevents the tips of said cross slits from catching onthe peripheral edge of said support member when said cross slits are ina fully open position.

3. A vacuum breaker and back flow prevention means comprising an inletbody member; a hollow chamber formed in said body member; a transversesubstantially plane web-like partition formed in said hollow. chamber,said web-like partition having a valve surface at its underside, andhaving a plurality of flow ports therethrough; an outlet body memberprovided with an outlet opening; a hollow chamber formed in said outletmember; an annular seating edge formed at the top portion of said hollowchamber of said outlet member, said annular seating edge projectingtoward the valve surface of said transverse web-like partition of saidinlet body member; a multiplicity of vent ports surrounding said annularseating edge, said vent ports affording communication between saidhollow chamber of said outlet member and atmosphere; a flexibleresilient substantially plane diaphragm member, the central portionthereof having limited freedom of motion between the valve surface ofsaid transverse web-like portion of said inlet body member and theannular seating edge of said outlet body member; cross slits throughsaid diaphragm member at its central portion to enable the segmentsformed by the slits to be moved to open position to form a flow portwhen subjected to the pressure of fluid flowing through said inlet bodymember; a flat readily flexible spring member, having a series ofopenings therethrough which form a multiplicity of finger type flow portclosing and diaphragm support members, in engagement with the undersideof said diaphragm member; and a sealing ring member, coacting with thesaid seating edge in said outlet body member to elfect closure of saidvent ports when fluid is flowing through said outlet body member, andhaving an opening therethrough of larger diameter than the length ofsaid slits in said diaphragm member, in engagement with the underside ofsaid flat flexible spring member; said diaphragm member, flexible springmember and sealing ring member being clamped as a unit at theirperipheries between said inlet body member and said outlet body member.

8 4. A structure as in claim 3; wherein said diaphragm member, saidflexible spring member, and said sealing ring member are formed as aunitary element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS597,842 Edmands Jan. 25, 1898 2,292,373 1 Groeniger Aug. 11, 19422,629,393 Langdon Feb. 24, 1953 2,646,063 Hayes July 21, 1953 2,875,776Skipwith Mar. 3, 1959 2,897,835 Philippe Aug. 4, 1959

